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Hilary Duff at the 'Blessings In A Backpack' program in Atlanta on March 21, Katy Perry performing in London on March 17, Liz Lee at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York on March 19, and Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells at the mtvU Woodie Awards in Austin on March 16.Photo: Getty Images

What makes good bangs good, and bad bangs bad? We thought it was face shape—ovals can’t wear side-swept bangs, heart-shapes look best with whispy fringe...blahblahblah. Then we peeped Hilary Duff's new bangs yesterday at a charity event in Atlanta, and subsequently rounded up images of other banged beauties (which, by the way, everyone and their mother is wearing bangs these days). After going over each photo with a fine-toothed comb (MWAHAHAHAHA *pant pant*), we think we've figured out what REALLY distinguishes the A+ bangs from the sub-C bangs. And, as it turns out, it's not about the bangs at all. It's what is done with the rest of the mane that makes or breaks brow-skimmers. Hilary, Katy Perry, Liz Lee, and Alexis Krauss aced it by wearing their hair in modern, loose, let-it-be-what-it-wants-to-be styles, that sort of melded with their bangs. They don't look prissy or fussy and Katy's hyper stylized bangs work because they're higher on her head and don't crowd her face. Meanwhile, Rashida Jones, Leona Lewis (who gets extra because her dress also has bangs), and Ellie Kemper tried to push their blunt bangs into the spotlight (where they obviously didn't want to be), by pulling the rest of their hair back behind their ears in a wonky way. We lovelovelove you girls, but take out the little-girl bobby pins, flip your head over, and shake out that hair. All better. Promise.

THE NOT-SO-GOOD

Rashida Jones at the 'Monogamy' screening in New York on March 7, Leona Lewis at the Genesis Awards in Century City, California, on March 19, and Ellie Kemper at the 'Super' premiere in Hollywood on March 21.Photo: Getty Images

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MTV Style follows how people express themselves through fashion and beauty, from our favorite pop culture icons to you, the reader. We cover the fun, loud side of the industry with news, trends, interviews, videos, and more — MTV Style is fashion at full volume.